Request for reconsideration of an Employment Insurance decision
On this page
- If you disagree with an Employment Insurance decision
- Before you request a reconsideration
- How to request a reconsideration
- After you submit your request
- Giving consent to share information
- Resources to help you prepare your request
- Appealing the reconsideration decision
If you disagree with an Employment Insurance decision
If you disagree with a decision made by Service Canada about your Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, you can request a reconsideration. For example, you could request a reconsideration if you were denied benefits or told to repay benefits you already received.
Employers and other affected parties can also request a reconsideration, such as when they disagree with a decision that allows an individual to receive EI benefits after they voluntarily left employment or were dismissed for misconduct.
Before you request a reconsideration
Check if you have any new information that could affect the original decision. This could include documents or details about your situation that you haven't provided yet.
Submit any new information to Service Canada as soon as possible. We'll review your claim to determine if this changes the original decision.
If you don't have any new information, or if your new details don't change the original decision, you can submit your request for reconsideration.
How to request a reconsideration
- Complete, print and sign the Request for reconsideration of an Employment Insurance (EI) decision form.
- Submit it to Service Canada in person or by mail within 30 days after the date the decision was communicated to you.
There is no fee to request a reconsideration.
Requests made after 30 days
If you submit your request after 30 days from the date the decision was communicated to you, you must provide a reason for the delay. We may still accept your request if we determine your explanation is reasonable.
After you submit your request
A different Service Canada officer than the one who made the original decision will:
- read the original decision and all related documents
- gather and clarify any new information from relevant parties, such as your previous employer
- obtain relevant documents
- review new information received
- assess all evidence related to the issue
- make a decision based on legislation and jurisprudence
- record their reasons for the reconsideration decision
We will complete the reconsideration as soon as possible, but the time it takes can vary depending on the complexity of the case.
You'll receive the reconsideration decision in writing. If the decision is:
- not in your favour, the officer will call you to explain the decision and a copy of the information used to make the unfavourable decision will also be provided to you
- in your favour, your claim will be adjusted and any benefits owed will be paid
Giving consent to share information
Your personal information and your request for reconsideration are confidential. If you want us to share information about your claim with someone you choose, you must give Service Canada permission.
To provide consent, complete and sign the Consent to disclosure and/or use of personal information form and submit it to Service Canada in person or by mail.
Resources to help you prepare your request
- Employment Insurance Act
- Employment Insurance Regulations
- Digest of benefit entitlement principles
- Index of jurisprudence
- Jurisprudence library
- Employment Insurance appeal decisions favourable to workers
Appealing the reconsideration decision
If you disagree with the reconsideration decision, you can appeal to the Social Security Tribunal (SST)-General Division within 30 days of receiving the reconsideration decision.
To submit an appeal, visit Social Security Tribunal of Canada for information on the steps you need to take. The SST will notify Service Canada of your appeal.